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According to surveys done by Never The Same with over 3,000 teenage participants . . .

95% of church-going teenagers think reading the Bible is important.

12% of those teenagers read the Bible on a regular basis.

45% of those teenagers never read the Bible.

41% don’t know where to start.

So how do we better engage teenagers in Scripture?

1. KNOW YOUR GOAL

Identify a measurable and manageable goal for Bible engagement. One goal we recommend would be to get as many students as possible reading the Bible four or more times each week. Make sure you know your goal, your team knows your goal, and your students know your goal.

2. USE THE RIGHT METHOD

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to reading the Bible. Consider the wide variety of students you have in your ministry. They have different learning preferences, backgrounds, and experience with faith. Get to know your students (with the help of your small group leaders) and be flexible on the methods you use to help them engage with the Bible.

3. CONNECT IT TO COMMUNITY.

If you want students to develop habits that stick, they can’t only be reading the Bible in isolation. It needs to be connected to their community. Leverage your small groups as a way to create community around reading the Bible together — but not in a “checking your homework” way. Train small group leaders to “check in” with students instead.

4. BE AWARE OF SETBACKS.

You may experience pushback or a lack of interest when you try to better engage students in Scripture. People often don’t read the Bible because they . . .

don’t see how it applies to their life.

don’t know where to start.

don’t have enough time.

It usually takes three years to significantly change the culture of your ministry.

5. GIVE THEM A GUIDE.

Teenagers need help learning how to read, study, and process Scripture. They need a relational guide (like a small group leader) but they often need a physical guide (like a tool, study, or book) to help them learn how to engage in Scripture for the first time.

One tool to help your students better engage in Scripture is Soul Exercises, a new series of Bible study guides from Never the Same. Check them out at soulexercises.com!

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From Kenny + Elle Campbell

Hi. We’re Kenny and Elle Campbell, founders of Stuff You Can Use. We’ve been doing youth ministry for over twenty combined years and love every second of it. Thanks for stopping by, we hope you find this resource helpful!